US President Donald Trump has issued a stark ultimatum to NATO allies, demanding they commit to securing the Strait of Hormuz “within days,” according to sources cited by Bloomberg. The demand comes amid mounting frustration over European inaction during the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Trump’s remarks follow weeks of criticism directed at NATO members, particularly European allies, for their perceived reluctance to support Washington’s military operations against Tehran. Spain has explicitly refused to allow US aircraft to use its bases, while Germany and the United Kingdom have stopped short of endorsing the campaign, insisting the conflict is not theirs to engage in.
“NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON’T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN,” Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, underscoring his dissatisfaction with the alliance’s response.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described the exchange with Trump as “very frank, very open,” characterizing it as a discussion between “two good friends.” However, Rutte acknowledged Trump’s disappointment over the refusal of allies to participate in the Iran operation. When pressed on whether Trump had threatened to withdraw from the alliance, Rutte declined to provide a direct answer.
The tensions highlight broader concerns about the future of NATO. Last week, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested Washington’s commitment to collective defense remains uncertain, echoing Trump’s sentiment that an alliance loses meaning if members are unwilling to stand together in times of need.
Rutte, who has faced criticism in Europe for his perceived deference to Trump—including a widely noted moment last year when he jokingly referred to the US president as “Daddy”—now finds himself at the center of a growing transatlantic rift. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that a potential US withdrawal from NATO is “something the president has discussed,” adding that the issue could be raised in future meetings.
The ultimatum over the Strait of Hormuz underscores deepening divisions within the alliance, raising questions about NATO’s cohesion and strategic direction as geopolitical pressures mount.
